Interview

Tony Kakko, great leader of Sonata Arctica talked with your favorite webzine about the release of the new Sonata Artica’s album entitled « Pariah’s Child ». The Finnish singer and composer gave us some clues about the « roots return rumor », with a pleased enthusiasm.


Secret Sfred : Hi Tony ! First of all, thank you taking some time to answer to my interview.
Tony Kakko : My pleasure!

Is « Pariah’s Child » a return to the roots ?
Roots : yes, stone age : no. It continues the line drawn by the first four albums. Stylistically I see this album a lot the same as what you find from « Winterheart’s Guild » and « Reckoning Night ». But naturally we have no reason to throw away everything we have learned during these past eight years. Wow, it seems this side track we took back in 2006-2007 turned out to be time wise longer than our career before it.

How did the writing process go this time? Are you still the main composer ?
Jani once wrote one song we recorded, Henrik has written one as well and I’ve written all the rest. Seems it remains that way also for the couple of following years. So yeah. It was a fairly easy going process, although the direction of the album changed quite a bit last summer after I already thought I had all the material we needed. I wrote « The wolves die young » and we then decided to take the whole album in more speedy and metal direction. It was a good change.

We can see a wolf and your old logo on the cover. What is the will hidden behind it ?
After we realised what we really wanted to achieve with this album it was a near no-brainer to bring those old trademark elements back. They kind of underline our musical intentions.

The album seems to be a best of the old years ; I found some Ecliptica in « Love », some Silence in « Blood », some Winterheart’s Guild in « Running Lights » etc… Do you agree with that ?
Yeah, absolutely ! This album has elements from each album we’ve done. « Pariah’s Child » has at least one song for each old album that would stylistically fit it perfectly.

As you seem to be back to the roots, as I’m a huge fan of « Ecliptica », have you ever think about making an « Ecliptica part 2 », just like Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray have done with « Symphony of Enchanted Lands part 2 » and « Land the Free part 2 » ?
No, not really. I think too much water has gone under the bridge for us to do that, but as with most things: never say never. We’re gonna re-record « Ecliptica » this year by the request of our label in Japan. Fun to visit those days of old, but I do not dream of taking Sonata Arctica permanently back quite there.

Beside these classical Sonata Arctica’s songs, there are also some surprising stuff : the crazy « X marks the spot » and the rock’n roll « Half a marathon man ». Can you tell us a little bit more about them ?
« X marks the spot » I rewrote almost completely during the rehearsals. Twice. I just was not happy with it and considered pulling it out from the album. But I just managed to make a better version of it. The only original parts are chorus and the heavy riffing part in the middle of the song. And finally I also came up with the lyrical theme, which is about how some folks so blindly start to follow all sorts of spiritual and religious, cult-like establishments. The song really got it’s wings after we decided to ask Elias’s old friend Jaakko Koskinen perform the role of The Preacher. Not sure, but he might actually be the lead vocalist on this song much more than me, haha!
« Half a marathon man »’s origin is quite extraordinary. I started to write the song one morning at home in september, while we were already almost done with the album rehearsals. The process from a rough idea to a finished demo took me maybe three hours in total. Fairly fast. So we had a sauna party at my place later that night and I played the song for the guys, they loved it immediately and literally 24 hours after I had played the first notes, we had already played it through with the band and the song was ready for the studio. The fastest process ever. I started to rehearse to run half a marathon last summer and I aim to get it done this year. So that naturally sparked the idea for the song.

Can you enlighten us a little about the conception of the masterpiece « Larger than Life » ?
The whole song got it’s start when I one morning decided to play around with this orchestral sound pack I bough already some years back. Quickly I had put together the intro and some other reoccurring orchestral themes and had already then named the project « Larger than Life » and written some lyrics lines and formed a frame for the whole story. It’s was pretty clear from the beginning that this is going to be a big and quite a long album ender. I just needed to write few more different parts to create some dynamics and nuances in the song. The lyrics was something I polished and rewrote until the very moment I had to start to sing it. An important track painting the lifeline of one artist who has neglected one vital part of being a human. But it’s never too late. Just need to believe in it.

Why Marko has chosen to leave the band and how did Pasi joined you ?
Marko had started to loose interest and motivation in touring and band activities a long time ago and already for year the fan feedback had sometimes reflected that. So it was pretty obvious too. So finally early last year Marko decided to step aside, which was a good thing for both parties. I am happy I did not have to do anything drastic as a band leader. Marko has been a friend of mine and we’ve played in a same band for 20 years this year, more than half of my life. So this is not an easy thing. I miss my friend. But at the same time I feel so much better having a healthy and motivated band and knowing Marko is doing good in his chosen other life. There’s time for everything. Also leaving.
And also joining, for that matter. We’ve known Pasi since 2005, I think, when he mixed the « For The Sake Of Revenge » live DVD. And Henrik has known Pasi at least since 1995, when Henrik joined their other band Silent Voices. Knowing the talent as a studio man and naturally also as a magnificent bass player it was an easy decision to ask Pasi. We did not even consider anyone else. One thing that made this even easier is that Marko said we simply CAN NOT replace him with anyone else beside Pasi. So there. Easy. The easiest member change ever, in that sense. Otherwise not.

You will go on tour in March, but we have only two dates in France, whereas there is a strong link between Sonata Arctica and our country. Is there a bigger French tour scheduled?
Would you like to play at the Hellfest Open air in France ?
As far as I know, this is it for now anyway. I did not personally pay any attention on the tour schedule as I was too busy on the other walks of life. But we definitely should have more than two shows in France. I don’t know how it is like this. Hopefully we get to do another round in Europe next year. But for now we have nothing solid for anything beyond Christmas 2014.
We’d love to play Hellfest! That’s a cool festival! Waiting for an invitation. :)

Bands like Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, Stratovarius, Children of Bodom, were part of the “Finnish Metal wave” in the 90’s. According to you, what bands could join the “second wave” ?
Frankly I have no clue. No what so ever. Maybe Battle Beast, but then again they’re “an old act” already. I do not really follow enough what’s going on in the field, what’s “bubbling under”. I hope the wave comes!

SBM : Beside Sonata Arctica, you sang the song « Cold Heart of the Klondike » on Tuomas Holopainen’s project. He told me you were bigger don Rosa’s fan than he is. How have you lived this experience ?
It was fun ! I am extremely pleased Tuomas took me in. …I would have been just a little bit disappointed had he not. Haha! My highlight was the recordings. I don’t always get goosebumps singing a song. Great experience. Low point was when after the recordings, I had to make the decision wether to stay over night at the studio with my family and meet Don Rosa who was about to arrive in half an hour or so, OR to leave and find a hotel and …be safe, haha! I decided it’s better if we leave and let the people party and have their fun without having to think little kids that might be disturbed by all things happening. It felt like kid who has seen a Christmas tree with all the presents meant for him underneath and then being yanked away from it all. Such is life. :)

Secret Sfred : Well Tony, that is the end, so I let you the final words if you want to let a message to the French fans.
We all miss you guys! I hope you like the new album as we sure as hell do! It feels like a pair of comfy shoes to me. And of course, make sure you get your ticket and come see the 15th anniversary tour! Sorry for having only two dates in France… Much love! See you soon!

Kiitos Tony !
You are most welcome! :)
Cheers from Chihuahua, Mexico !